si1 zi2 gau2獅子狗狮子狗
Jyutpingsi1 zi2 gau2
Yalesī jí gáu
Definition
Chikuwa (a Japanese fish cake) or a Pekingese dog.
- chikuwa; a hollow cylindrical Japanese fish cake
- Pekingese; a breed of dog originating in China
colloquialfoodanimals
How it's used
Context is everything when using this term because it refers to two completely unrelated things. In a culinary setting, it refers to the Japanese fish cake, while in a pet context, it refers to the dog breed. If you are unsure which one is being discussed, look for the measure word used: 條 for the food and 隻 for the animal.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Remember to buy some chikuwa for the hot pot.
Does that Pekingese dog of yours like to bark a lot?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the food item with other types of fish balls or processed fish products. Always clarify if you are talking about the food or the pet to avoid confusion, especially since the name literally translates to 'lion dog'.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
